BOYS' BASKETBALL: Greencastle-Antrim goals remain high

The voids resulting from graduation are evident, but the expectations remain the same.

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By Ben Destefan

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Ben Destefan

Posted Dec. 3, 2013 at 10:00 AM

By Ben Destefan
Posted Dec. 3, 2013 at 10:00 AM

GREENCASTLE – The voids resulting from graduation are evident, but the expectations remain the same.

Entering the upcoming 2013-14 season, the Greencastle-Antrim boys’ varsity basketball team returns only one starter from last year’s squad, welcoming a cast of newcomers being asked to assume significant roles.

Even so, head coach Gary Martin trusts his team is capable of carrying on G-A’s tradition of success.

“We lost a lot of key guys, but we have a nice group of talented kids coming up,” said Martin, who is entering his fourth year at the helm. “My expectations haven’t changed. I fully expect to compete for a league title, get into the playoffs and make a run.”

With the likes of Zach Faulkner, Danny Stepler, Brandon Puffenbarger, Austin Scott and Holden Baker gone from last year’s 16-6 campaign, the headlining act will undoubtedly fall on the shoulders of senior sensation Joel Zola.

As a junior, Zola led the Blue Devils averaging 17.4 points per game, earning a selection to the Mid-Penn Colonial Division First Team.

The versatile threat also reached double figures in 19 of G-A’s 22 contests, clearly displaying the ability to be the focal point of Martin’s offensive scheme.

“We need Joel to be a leader on and off the court,” Martin explained. “He’s going to get a ton of attention, so he’s going to have to trust his teammates and make the right decisions. We’re going to put the ball in his hands a lot, so at times we’re going to ask him to go and score, but also facilitate.”

Surrounding Zola will be a variation of Sam Sprague, Josh Ehko, Nathan Monn, Casey Hoover and Jeremiah Barber, with several other varsity additions providing depth off the bench.

Seniors Eli Englehart and Matt Montedoro serve as experienced members of the roster, but both are projected to miss a large portion of the season.

“These guys have been a part of our system and have witnessed the success of the varsity program,” Martin said. “We were one game short of a third-straight league title last year, and now we’re asking these newer players to help us get back there. I truly believe we’re going to surprise some people.”

In Martin’s first three years as head coach, he has led the Blue Devils to a record of 56-21, qualifying for the District 3 playoffs each season.

G-A opens its 2013-14 schedule at home Friday night, taking on Chambersburg in the opening round of the annual Franklin County Tip-Off Tournament being held this year in Greencastle.

Page 2 of 2 - The Blue Devils and Trojans are slated as Friday’s main event, being the fourth and final game set to begin around 8:30 p.m.